Board of Elders
Salida Vineyard Church is led by a board of elders and two staff pastors. The board is comprised of lay members of the church who serve as financial, spiritual, and practical leaders. The board meets monthly, seeking to discern the direction, identity and vision of the church. They also oversee the co-associate pastors Ellen and Rayann, who work for the church part time.
For more information about the Vineyard association of churches to which we belong, visit https://vineyardusa.org. We affirm the Vineyard USA’s core values and beliefs, including the empowerment of the Holy Spirit for all believers and the inclusion of women at all levels of leadership.
Ellen Horarik – Co-Associate Pastor
Ellen has been following Jesus as long as she can remember. She was born in Wisconsin and moved to Salida with her family in high school. She met her now-husband Ben when they were teenagers at this very same Vineyard church 20 years ago!
Ellen joined the church staff in 2018 after years of volunteering on the worship team as a vocalist, keyboard player, and set leader. In the fall of 2019, she was ordained to be a pastor by the Salida Vineyard. She currently leads the preaching team, worship team, and provides pastoral and administrative support to other ministries within SVC. Ellen is a graduate of Iowa State University (B.A. in Spanish) and is pursuing seminary education online through Denver Seminary.
Ellen and Ben have two adorable young daughters. Ellen also enjoys writing songs and poetry, and exploring Colorado’s mountains by foot or on downhill skis.
Rayann Gillespie – Co-Associate Pastor
Rayann joined the church staff in 2022 and was ordained in August 2024. She serves in various capacities at SVC including meeting community needs through our Compassion Ministry and well as overseeing the pastoral care team, hospitality ministry, and the office team. She also has lead a local group of School of Prophetic Ministry for over two years.
Rayann is a long-time resident of Pleasant Valley (in Fremont County, downriver from Salida). She is married to Russ and loves spending time on their beautiful rural property with their children and grandchildren.
Other Ministry Leaders (“Deacons”)
Salida Vineyard strongly believes in leading in teams. Current church ministries (including Care Team, Kids Ministry, Hospitality, Discipleship, Worship Ministry, and Prayer Ministry) are led by teams of volunteers and staff who discern and plan together.